va) > war | ¥ tir» \ 4 Annual Report ’ April 2023 – March 2024 ihe Registered Charity No: 1157556 t nN
‘The Skies Cleared’ cover artwork by Carrie
Background and Who We Support
Flying Fish Artists was initially formed in 2002, after members of a creative arts group in the occupational therapy workshop at Riverside Community Mental Health team base were invited to put on an exhibition for public viewing as part of the North Devon Festival. The exhibition was called ‘Hidden Talents’ because participants pulled beautiful sketches, paintings and stained glass out from under their beds for them to be carefully hung throughout the buildings.
What a transformative event, celebrating so many different people’s strengths to create such an uplifting effect that it was decided to have a professional hanging system so that there could be rotating exhibitions of artwork.
If we were going to hold regular exhibitions, the group needed to have a name and so suggestions were voted on and Flying Fish Artists was born.
Flying Fish Artists now operates as a small, Barnstaple based charity that, through using art as a creative and therapeutic means of recovery, supports people (aged 18 upwards) from anywhere across Torridge and North Devon region who wish to use art to help themselves in recovering from ill health.
We support and inspire our members to tap into their creativity and produce artwork which integrates the members with the local community with exhibitions and events as well as accepting art commissions. Our work over the years, and particularly our regular studio sessions continue to help members to relieve the social isolation that so many of them felt prior to joining us.
The regular meetings provide a welcoming and safe space for our members, where they feel comfortable and able to focus on bringing out their inner creativity and talent.
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Our Trustees and Volunteers
Joyce Reed, Members Co-ordinator & Trustee. Joyce gets much enjoyment from continuing to serve as a volunteer and trustee for FFA, welcoming new and regular participants each week as well as faces from the past who call into our studio sessions from time to time. She’s inspired by members’ encouragement of one another and enthusiam for any creative opportunities. She is supported by her husband Chris who is always on hand at events and trips to help out.
Martin Davies, Secretary & Trustee. Martin looks after much of the administration and ensures the smooth running of the operational workings of FFA. We are so very grateful for all of his continued help, many years of commitment and invaluable contribution.
Jason Smith, Chairman & Trustee. Jason ensures the smooth and efficient running of our board meetings which he continues to expertly host monthly for us on Zoom. We’re also thankful to him for overseeing the opening and settingup of our weekly studio sessions, including between Christmas and New Year. Jason also runs a Wednesday group for members and led the Moorland View mural project.
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Carrie Clarke, Trustee. We are delighted to welcome Carrie back whom some members remember well from when she worked in North Devon and provided much encouragement and assistance as an artist herself with Flying Fish Artists forming many years ago. Fortunately for us, Carrie now has a bit more time to link-up with our group again.
She travels from mid-Devon to visit us whenever her time allows, submits grant-applications on our behalf and joins Zoom trustees’ meetings to keep informed about the direction members wish to go in with developing their art.
Julia Dredge, Trustee. Julia is a versatile artist who has involved herself in all sorts of community projects over the years and continues to give valuable advice on how to help our members and the direction which Flying Fish Artists should take, from an artist’s perspective. We are very thankful for her help in running the charity and spreading word of our sessions and events. Sam Tse, Volunteer Treasurer since 2019. Sam provides expert guidance in managing our small budget, preparing our accounts to submit to the charity commission and provides very valuable input and support to our trustees meetings. Claire Johns, Volunteer Workshop Presenter. Claire has prepared a series of inspirational talks about different artist movements and workshops tailored to respond to members’ requests and continues to support us. 3 | P a g e ~~|~~
Welcome To Our Newest Volunteers
Liz Mutch , who quickly learnt by heart what each member prefers to drink in the hot drinks line whether it be caffeinated tea or coffee or herbal and with or without sweetener or sugar or milk! Liz is a very experienced retired nurse and brings warmth and humour into our weekly studio sessions. Thank-you Liz. LN NT;
Rob Bennett is a wonderful addition to our team of volunteers having reacquainted himself with a lot of our members when he came along to our 2023 Christmas Fayre with his wife, Sue.
Both Sue and Rob worked at North Devon District Hospital before retiring and after years of encouraging others to be creative in his role as an Occupational Therapy Technical Instructor, he is now fully embracing experimenting with different art techniques himself alongside his expertise and love of photography.
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Message from our Chairman: Our Review from April 2023
Welcome all for another year of The Flying Fish Artists; a collective charity supporting the mental health community here in North Devon. A huge thank you to all our trustees that have kept us going over the years, as well as all of our members who have achieved wellbeing from our sessions together. Looking back at our various accomplishments, Flying Fish has been very active during this past year including trips out, workshops and fun mindfulness.
Many varied and artistic projects have evolved and become finished with creative growth within our small community – each member brings their own style and ideas to our charity. It is great to see people embracing art and making their own personal goals.
How busy have we been? Where to start? First off, I would like to thank Joyce Reed and Liz for their care within our studio sessions, thank you both for your energy and supporting us all. Also thank you to Barnstaple Town Council for allowing us the use of the Castle Centre for these weekly sessions.
In addition to these sessions, we have had a number of workshops and organized trips out which have felt encompassing for our creativity and our mental health. We have Claire Johns who has regularly tutored us about various artists, art movements and technical instruction, our members have enjoyed her workshops and have gained a lot of knowledge from her.
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For relaxation and meditative mindfulness Helen Phillips has provided for us sound workshops which members attended and enjoyed.
We have had several trips out to our local gallery, The Burton, and some members have exhibited and sold their own work there. We participated in the Abbotsham Village Fete, raising £100 towards our running costs. We held outdoor sketching sessions within our beautiful Devon parkland and trips out to RHS Rosemoor Gardens which gave us good source material for photography and sketching.
Several private view invitations which members attended included Clive Cobb’s wartime childhood exhibition at the Barnstaple Museum and the Art Mash collective summer exhibition.
In November we held our AGM, with a focus on embracing feedback from our members on how to take the charity forward and where improvements can be made.
Our Christmas Fayre was successful, including live music from Xenos Music Duo and various arts and crafts were sold, further funding our sessions and aid for members.
Another art trip out was to see the Museum of the Moon installation by artist Luke Jerram in December 2023 at Barnstaple’s pannier market.
In March we participated in a glass fusion workshop at Art Mash Studio which members thoroughly enjoyed.
Next year is looking very bright for our charity, welcoming new and old members and a safe creative space for us all.
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Message from our Trustees: Future Plans
Flying Fish Artists currently has 35 members with an average of 10-15 (absolute maximum) participants at each weekly session. It is necessary to restrict the size of the weekly studio sessions in order to maintain a safe, creative environment for everyone. For this reason, we are only able to welcome participation after contact through Joyce Reed, our Members Co-ordinator rather than on a drop-in basis.
Regrettably, due to increased community need, we are getting much more frequent requests and are unable to invite new members to start immediately. Sadly, it has even become necessary to start a small waiting list. It would be very helpful if possible, in conjunction with the North Devon Mental Health Alliance, to compile a directory of all the art group opportunities which are now starting up and running locally for people to find out about and join.
We are very thankful to Barnstaple Town Council for providing us with premises suitable to our needs for our weekly pop-up studio sessions and we all look forward to the Castle Centre refurbishment, hopefully with a hanging system to facilitate rotating exhibitions of our members artwork to uplift and inspire others.
We are also grateful to Barnstaple Library for accommodating a more informal session with Flying Fish Artists on Thursdays. The trustees look forward to meeting and collaborating with members of the Woodyard Project CIC in due course.
Artwork by Carol
In the year ahead, we hope to be able to find a new Patron and are always keen to talk with anyone who feels they might be able to volunteer with us, whether by sharing their skills as an artist at workshops for our members, becoming a trustee for the charity, or simply offering their time for staffing our weekly sessions and helping our members feel at home.
It is hoped that we can arrange for members to attend a workshop at the Ceramics Academy in South Molton and have another Glass Fusion Workshop at Art Mash studios alongside providing other workshops and trips as funds allow in accordance with members’ artistic interests.
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Financial Information: Year Ending March 2024
| Income | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grant income | - | 1,615 | 1,615 |
| Donations | 1,309 | - | 1,309 |
| Sales | 399 | - | 399 |
| TOTAL | 1,708 | 1,615 | 3,323 |
| Expenditure | |||
| Workshops | 258 | 615 | 873 |
| Materials/equip | 332 | - | 332 |
| Marketing | 266 | - | 266 |
| Rent & rates | 912 | 1,000 | 1,912 |
| TOTAL | 1,768 | 1,615 | 3,383 |
| Net expense | (60) | - | (60) |
| Reserves 2024 | * 1,246 | _ 1,000_** | 2,246 |
| Reserves 2023 | 1,306 | 1,000 | 2,306 |
| Movement | (60) | - | (60) |
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*Note 1: Remaining funds will be carried over to the following financial year to cover running costs.
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**Note 2: Restricted reserves include a £1k grant for hall hire awarded during the year, but relating to expenditure to be incurred from April 2024, hence this is treated as deferred income in the accounts.
Artwork by Julia
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The Impact We Have
“Flying Fish Artists has helped hugely in my recovery from mental illness by providing a safe environment each week to do my art with like-minded friends. We encourage and help each other with an element of fun for good measure”
“It is an absolute lifeline for me”
“It’s helped a lot meeting with fellow art inspired people who are so friendly and encouraging”
“I feel so welcomed at Flying Fish. I have gained confidence since attending and have made great friends. I have found my people. Thank you!”
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Artwork From Our Members
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Artwork by Julia
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Artwork by Tracy
Artwork by Jason
Artwork by Sandy
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Thank You to ALL our Wonderful Sponsors and Donors
Sponsors and Donors during 2023-2024 have included:
Barnstaple Town Council (Small Grant Funding)
North Devon District Community Councillors Fund Awards
Special thanks to:
Jane Patch at Barnstaple Library Barnstaple Town Council
All our members, whose courage and artwork inspires others, contributing to the health of our local community and without whom this charity would not exist.
Contact Us
We would love to hear from you!
Our studio sessions are weekly on Tuesdays between 10.30 and 1.30 p.m. at The Castle Centre, Barnstaple. Please contact us by email if you would like to visit or make a referral.
Email address: flyingfishartists@gmail.com
Website: www.flyingfishartists.org.uk
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